heart shaped cookies

Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day sustainably

Feb. 12, 2024

Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to do something nice for anyone in your life you appreciate! As you celebrate, remember to keep sustainability in mind. Why leave the planet out? Valentine’s Day is heavily commercialized, with stores carrying a wide array of chocolates, cards, flowers and stuffed animals. While...

sustainability students outside

How to cultivate an eco-conscious mentality in a material world

Dec. 15, 2023

Living an eco-conscious lifestyle rather than one of consumerism is essential to lower your carbon footprint and demonstrate dedication to sustainability. You can consider how your actions impact the environment and your overall well-being and determine if you want to make changes. Break the convenience habit Convenience products, like takeout...

recycling bin overflowing with trash

Recycling contamination

Dec. 15, 2023

Recycling is a tricky process that takes practice and vigilance since guidelines are often changing. According to EcoCycle , Boulder’s recycling company, there are some items that regularly contaminate their recycling machines. On campus, the Grounds and Recycling Operations Center (GROC) sorts through recycling to process them and ensure their...

CU recycling truck

The impact of recycling on climate change

Dec. 15, 2023

When considering climate change mitigation and reducing your carbon footprint, you probably think of driving less and turning out the lights. But did you know that organic and inorganic waste is also a massive contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions? A zero-waste lifestyle keeps material out of landfills and reduces...

hand digging in soil

Composting 101

Dec. 15, 2023

Compost is the natural process of recycling organic matter into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. It is a significant part of the waste system that aids in fighting the climate crisis.

activists on a polluted beach

The impact of plastic on climate change

Dec. 15, 2023

It takes more than 1,000 years for plastic to decompose. Every plastic bottle, straw and container ever thrown away is still intact and somewhere on earth. The plastic problem affects every part of the planet, from the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. What is...

hand digging in soil

Composting at CU – a student perspective

Dec. 14, 2023

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, but a passion for sustainability drew me halfway across the country to CU Boulder. When I arrived here, I thought I had it all figured out. I recycled all my papers and plastics, used reusable containers and thrifted most of my clothes. However, shortly...

students sorting waste

CU Boulder's zero waste program crushing cardboard waste: 40,000 pounds of cardboard diverted from landfill

Dec. 12, 2023

The week before classes start is always a busy and exciting time for campus, over 7000 students move into the residence hall during this time. This year the Zero Waste program provided recycling services for over a dozen welcome events, recycled 20 tons of cardboard and film plastic, and sponsored...

flatiron sunset

The power of individual actions: rethinking your carbon footprint

Dec. 12, 2023

The term 'carbon footprint' echoes in our ears as a familiar buzzword, but grappling with how to minimize it can be a daunting task. Seeking support from your community can transform this task into a more accessible and rewarding endeavor.

John LaBar

Q&A with Environmental Center's recycling operations center lead

Dec. 12, 2023

John LaBar (he/him/his), originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a dedicated student at CU Boulder. He’s currently majoring in EBIO (ecology and evolutionary biology) and minoring in philosophy.

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